Magnesium Chlorophyllin Preparation via Solvent Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing magnesium chlorophyllin are unreliable, failing to produce a preparation of sufficient purity and color stability to meet industrial standards for food additives or medicaments, leading to the use of copper chlorophyllin, which is perceived as unnatural.
Innovation Solution
A method for preparing alkali metal or alkali earth metal salts of magnesium chlorophyllin from natural sources, involving the treatment of plant, cyanobacterial, or algal extracts with organic solvents and basic salts to maintain pH and convert magnesium chlorophyll into magnesium chlorophyllin, ensuring high purity and color stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If current methods are used to produce magnesium chlorophyllin, then production can proceed with existing processes, but the preparation fails to achieve sufficient purity and color stability
Solution Approach 1:
The production process is divided into multiple sequential extraction steps using different solvents (acetone extraction followed by ethanol extraction), allowing selective isolation of chlorophyll at different stages. This segmentation enables progressive purification while maintaining color stability through controlled processing at each stage.
Solution Approach 2:
Acetone is used as an intermediary solvent in the extraction process. It selectively extracts chlorophyll from plant material in the first step, creating a concentrated intermediate product that can then be further purified with ethanol. This intermediary step enables separation of chlorophyll from other plant components that would otherwise compromise purity and color stability.
2Manufacturing precision
If magnesium chlorophyllin is produced using conventional methods, then the process can be simple, but the product lacks sufficient purity and color stability for industrial use
Solution Approach 1:
The extraction process continues sequentially without interruption - first acetone extraction, then ethanol extraction of the acetone extract, followed by solvent removal. This continuous multi-stage process maintains color stability throughout by preventing exposure to degrading conditions, while the systematic nature manages complexity through clear procedural stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The process changes solvent parameters between stages - using acetone (more polar) for initial extraction, then ethanol (less polar) for secondary extraction. This parameter change optimizes selectivity at each stage, achieving high color stability and purity. The systematic parameter changes make the complexity manageable and reproducible.
3Reliability
If copper chlorophyllin is used instead, then color stability and vibrancy are improved, but the product is perceived as unnatural and unsuitable for food applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the inherent weakness of magnesium chlorophyllin (susceptibility to degradation) into a benefit by using controlled sequential extraction with specific solvents. This creates a highly pure magnesium chlorophyllin product with enhanced color stability that remains natural and suitable for food applications, eliminating the need for copper substitution.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method produces a colour-stable and substantially pure magnesium chlorophyllin alkali metal salt or alkali earth metal salt, meeting stringent requirements for use as a food additive or medicament, and retaining its vibrant green color over time.
Implementation Method 1
treating plant, cyanobacterial and/or algal matter containing a water-insoluble magnesium chlorophyll with an organic solvent in which said chlorophyll is substantially soluble
Implementation Method 2
combining an amount of a basic inorganic alkali metal salt and/or a basic inorganic alkali earth metal salt, and optionally an amount of water, with an amount of said the liquid composition of step (a)(i), step (a)(ii) or step (a)(iii) and agitating the mixture so formed, wherein the amount of salt, and the amount of water if used, is sufficient to maintain a pH of equal to or greater than about 7.0 in the mixture
Implementation Method 3
incubating the mixture of step (b)(i), (b)(ii) or (b)(iii) under conditions sufficient to convert magnesium chlorophyll to a magnesium chlorophyllin alkali metal salt or alkali earth metal salt
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method for preparing a colour-stable preparation of a magnesium chlorophyllin alkali metal salt or alkali earth metal salt from natural sources of chlorophyll. The invention further provides a colour-stable and substantially pure pigment composition comprising a vibrant green magnesium chlorophyllin in the form of an alkali metal or alkali earth metal salt, e.g. those prepared by the methods of the invention, and the use of the salts and compositions of the invention as colouring agents, in particular as food colouring agents, and as medicaments and disinfectants.